Woman killed, husband injured in Florida car accident

A serious crash has left one woman dead and her husband in critical condition, according to local sources. The four-car accident that killed the 63-year-old retired schoolteacher also seriously injured several other people. The driver of the vehicle believed to have precipitated the accident does not appear to have been charged as of this report, but further details have yet to be communicated by the Florida Highway Patrol.

The accident happened around 10 a.m. on March 11, in Osceola County. A vehicle driven by a 24-year-old man was traveling south while the other three vehicles involved in the crash were traveling north. For reasons unknown, the driver of the southbound vehicle drifted over the center line, striking the first car on the driver's side before catapulting directly into a second vehicle head on. A third vehicle then rear-ended the second car.

The 63-year-old victim was a passenger in the second car. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Her husband, the driver and another passenger in the vehicle were all injured and taken to local hospitals for treatment. The driver of the southbound car was also seriously injured and is undergoing treatment. Police have been unable to ascertain so far why his vehicle drifted into the northbound lane.

Should Florida police determine the southbound driver was negligent in some way and that his negligence contributed in a meaningful way to the fatal car accident that followed, he could face criminal charges. However, even if such charges are not filed or a conviction is not obtained, the family members of the deceased woman, as well as all the injured parties, are entitled under Florida law to file wrongful death and personal injury suits against the driver they believe to have acted negligently. Such suits are considered civil in nature and are heard separately from any criminal charges.

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